Door lock



J. H. ROETHEL 'booR ocx Original Filed May 27, 1953 IN V EN TOR. Joy/v 6! R05 THEL TORNE' Y Jan. 6, 1959 ratt es Patented Jan. 6, 1959 Fire DOOR LOCK John H. Roethel, Coral Gables, Fla.

Original application May 27, 1953, Serial No. 357,760, now Patent No. 2,791,457, dated May 7, 1957. Divided and this application September 17, 1956, Serial No. 611,088

4 Claims. (Cl. 292-279) This invention relates to a latch control mechanism for swinging doors, particularly the doors of automobile or other vehicle bodies, an object of this invention being to provide an improved door latch mechanism which is characterized by its simplicity and compactness in construction and which is economical to manufacture, comparatively quiet in operation and eflicient in use.

The present application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 357,760 filed May 27, 1953, now Patent Number 2,791,451, issued May 7, 1957.

The improved door latch mechanism of the present invention comprises a rotary latch device, detent means for holding the latch device in latching position, detent release lever means for disengaging the detent means from the latch device, and a pivoted member or lever having blocking means which may be positioned in blocking relation to a blocking portion on the detent release lever to render the latter inoperative to effect disengagement of the detent means from the latch device.

More particularly the latch mechanism embodied in the present invention comprises a plate portion for disposition at the door jamb and having a flange extending from the inner edge thereof. A latch bolt having a series of toothlike projections extending around the periphery thereof is mounted on the plate portion. Secured to the latch bolt and rotatable therewith is a detent engaging latch device having a series of abutments corresponding to the toothlike abutments of the bolt. There is provided a detent means mounted for slidable up and down movement on the support and engageable with any one of the abutments for holding the bolt in latching position. Manually operable means actuatable either from the outside or the inside of the vehicle door is provided for slidably actuating said detent means to disengage the same from the latch device and includes a lever pivotally mounted on said plate portion, said lever having a part in opposing relation to a part of the detent means, said parts being separate to permit movement of the detent means independently of the lever. To prevent disengagement of the detent means there is provided an inner manually operable member pivotally mounted on the plate portion and having a blocking portion shiftable in one direction into position to block movement of said lever and thereby render the same inoperative to slidably actuate said detent means.

Other objects and features of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

1 is a sectional elevation illustrating the mechanism mounted on the case plate of a door latch mechanism constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially through line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially through line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention as applied to the door and frame structures of an automobile body.

The latch mechanism constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive comprises a case plate 10 which is provided with screw bosses 10a which are adapted to receive screws for fastening the case plate to the inner side of the jamb portion or free edge wall of the vehicle door, the case plate 10 having a flange 11 which is adapted to be positioned along the inner panel of the door. The

present latch device is provided with a rotatable toothed latch or bolt 12 positioned at the outer face of the case plate 10, this latch or bolt having an integral projecting stud shaft or pivot 13 extending through an aperture in the case plate which is formed to receive a bearing 13a for the stud shaft. The inner end of the stud 13 is flattened and extended through a correspondingly shaped aperture in a rotatable toothed detent engaging member or ratchet member 14 and is riveted thereto. From the foregoing construction it will be seen that the toothed latch or bolt 12 is rigidly secured to the detent engaging member or ratchet member 14, being concentric there- I ber of radially projecting toothlike projections 12a, such as five, which are spaced equally entirely around the periphery of the latch so as to provide in effect a gear type latch. The detent engaging member or ratchet 14 is formed around its periphery with a number of abutments or shoulders 14a which correspond in number to the number of toothlike projections 12a. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment the latch 12, has for example, five toothlike projections 12a and the detent engaging member 14- has five equally spaced detent engaging abutments or shoulders 14a.

Cooperable with the peripherally notched edge of the ratchet 14 is a detent, pawl or dog, generally designated 55. As illustrated, the detent 55 comprises a member mounted on the case plate It) below the ratchet 14. The detent 55 is guided for slidable movement by spaced shoulder rivets 16 which project through elongated slots 17 in the detent, the rivets 16 being securely fastened to the case plate Iii. The detent 55 is a longitudinally ex tending member and is provided with a number of projections thereon which will hereinafter be identified and described. One of these projections is at the upper end of the detent 55; This projection 18 is engageable with any one of the teeth 14a in the manner shown in Fig. l to hold the ratchet member 14 and hence the bolt 12 in locking direction against rotation in a clockwise direction.

Associated with the detent is a vertically extending detent actuating or release lever, generally designated 53, which is pivoted intermediate its ends upon a shoulder rivet or stud 20. The release lever 53 is provided with three arms, a substantially horizontally extending arm 54, a substantially upwardly extending arm 22 and a substantially downwardly extending arm 23. The horizontally extending lever arm 54 overlies the detent 55 and is in abutting relation to an upturned projection or lug 24 lanced from the metalofthe detent. By virtue of this..con-.

struction the lever arm 54 and the detent 55 are so related that if the detent release lever 53 is swung about its pivotal axis in a. counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, thearm-54 willengage the lug 24-and thereby-movethe detent member 55 downwardly-so that. the projection 18 thereon will move out: of: the path offtheratchetabutments 14a and the ratchet 14 willbe freely-rotatable in a clockwise direction.

The upwardly extendinglever arm- 22 of the detent release lever 53 is formed=with a'flange 22a thereon. This lever arm 22 is adapted to-be-engaged-onthe outer side ofthe flange 22aby an outside manually operable means, such as a push button (not shown), for impartingthe pivotal o-r swinging movement to the detent release lever 53 necessary to cause disengagement of the detent 55 from the ratchet 14.

The detent 55 is yieldingly urged toward the ratchet-14- and the release lever 53 is similarly urged toward its normal position seen in Fig. l by means of a single coiled spring 26 anchored'at its inner end to a kerf 27 formed from lugs lanced out of the surfaceof the case plate 10. This spring has a horizontally extending arm 26a engageable with a projection 28 extending laterally from the upper end of the detent 55. The spring 26 urges the detent member 55 upwardly at all times so as to yieldingly hold the detent projection 18 in latching engagement with a tooth 14a of the ratchet 14. Due to the abutting relationship of the detent memberprojection 24 and the detent release lever arm 54, the spring 26 will also function to urge the lever arm 54 in a clockwise direction about its pivotal axis 20. The lever arm 22 will thus be urged outwardly so as to be-maintained in-the normal non-operating position shown in Fig. l Thus, a single spring 26 is utilizedto maintain the detent and release lever in their normal positions.

In-accordance-with the present embodiment means is 7 provided for restraining or blocking the detent release lever 53 against operation from the outside-of the door. The blocking means comprises a lever 56 pivoted intermediate its ends on a stud 3t secured to the case plate 10. As illustrated in Fig. l, the pivot axis of the blocking lever 56 is located at the lower extremity of the case plate and the lever 56 extends in a substantially horizontal direction. At its outer end 56a, the-right end as viewed inFig. 1, the blocking leve-ris provided with a flange 5612 which flange, when the blocking lever 56 is-in the position shown in Fig. 1, lies in the path of swinging movement of the lower end or blocking portion 23a of the lever arm 23 of the detent release lever 53 and thereby blocks swinging movement of the lever 53 in a counterclockwise direction. Since it is necessary for the detent release lever 53 to swing in a counterclockwise direction in order that the abutment of the detent release leverarm 54 and the detent projection 24 result in movement of the detent projection 18 out of engagement with the ratchet 14, the relationship of the-flange 56b to the end 23:: of the release lever arm 54 as shown in Fig. 1 renders the outer manually operable means, such as a push button, inoperative to release the latch mechanism from the outside of the door and the door cannot be opened.

The present latch mechanism incorporates a remote control mechanism so constructed as to permit release or disengagement of the detent means 55 from the inside of the vehicle door through the medium of the release except when the latter is blocked against swinging movement through the medium of the blocking lever 56. This remote control mechanism is preferably manually actuated'from the door remote from the case plate 10 by means=of a door handle (notshown). Referring particularly'to'Fig. 2, the case plate flange 11 is provided with a bell crank lever 31 having a downwardly extendingarm 32adapted-to be connected by; any convenient linkage to the insidedoor handle. The bell crank lever has a horizontally extending arm 33 overlying at its outer end the horizontal arm-54. of the release lever 55. The bell crank lever 31 is pivotally mounted on the flange 11 by means of a pivot stud or shoulder rivet 35. Movement of the bell crank lever 31 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 will cause the arm 33 thereof to abut the release lever arm 54 and move the'detent 55 against the urging of the spring 26 thereby to disengage the detent projection 18 from the ratchet 14.

The detent is also intended to abut arubber bumper 36a'carried on a lug 36 projecting from the case plate 10.

The rubberbumperprovides a cushion against whichthe detent 55- may abut when eitherthe inner-orouter actuators -are-released-and also actsas' an-anti-rattle means;

In the present embodiment the blocking lever 56'may be shifted into or out of, blockingpositiono-nly from the inside of the door. a depending arm 57 having a hole 38 adapted to pivotally receive one end of a conventional control rod mechanism which usually terminates. at1the upper end'thereof in a push and'pull button accessible at the inside ofthe glass in the vehicle door. Itwill be readily-apparent'that ifa proper counterclockwise force is exerted on the end of'the blocking lever arm 57' inthe-vicinity of the hole 38 that the end of the blocking lever 56carrying the flange 56b will be swung upwardly into blocking position relative to the end 23a of the detentrelease lever arm 23. Conversely, if a clockwise force is exerted'on' the arm 57'of the blocking lever 56- in the vicinity of the aperture 38, the blocking-flange 561; will be swung downwardlyout ofblocking position.

The case plate ltlis provided with a lug 39 providing a stop to limit clockwise swinging movement'ofthe block ing lever-56. A toggle spring 40 is provided having one end seated in an'aperture inthe case plate lli and-its other end in an aperture in-the blocking lever 56. The toggle spring 40 is provided to yieldingly urge and hold the blocking lever toward its upper and lower limits of movement.

Thus, in the present construction and arrangement-both the outer and innermanually operable means for releasing the latch mechanism operate through the detent-release lever 53. If the release lever. 53 is prevented from swinging by the blocking flange 56b, the door cannot be opened from either the insideor the outside. Rendering the inside manually operable remote control means inoperative to release the detent 55-from the ratchet'14 provides a safety feature especially desirable when young children are carried as passangers in the rear portion of the vehicle. The inside remote control handle may thus be rendered immovable preventing anyone from inadvertently unlatching the door while the vehicle is'in motion.

It will be noted thatno kick-out means is provided. It is desirable in connection with rear door locks to be able to place the blocking lever 56 in blocking position when the door is open and to retain the same in such position after the door is swung shut. It will be understood, however, that no damage can result to the lock mechanism even though no kick-out means is provided for restoring the parts to normal or unblocked position in the event that the blocking lever 56 is moved into blocking relation to the release lever 53 when the door is open. In the present embodiment, the detent is always free to move independently of the release lever upon rotation of the rotary bolt as the bolt engages the striker or keeper (not shown) upon closing movement of the door.

There is provided a shield 58 covering the upper portion of the'rotary bolt 12. One' function of the shield is-toprevent water and-dirt from accumulating around-the bearing 13:: support-ing'the' bolt shaft'13; The shield 58 also improves the external appearance of the lock mechanism.

The blocking lever 56 is provided with v I claim:

1. In a door latch mechanism, a support having a plate portion for disposition at the door jamb and having a flange extending angularly from said plate portion, a rotatable latch device mounted on said plate portion, detent means comprising a member slidably mounted on said plate portion and having a projection on one end thereof engageable with said latch device for holding the same in latching position, a detent actuator mounted on said plate portion and having a blocking portion, said detent means being mounted on said plate portion for movement independently of said actuator, said actuator having a portion provided with a part arranged in opposing relation to a part of said detent means to abut the same upon movement of said actuator in one direction to move said detent means out of bold ing position with respect to said latch device, an inner manually operable bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the support and having a lever arm engageable with a part on said actuator for moving the same in said one direction, a member movably mounted on said support adjacent said detent actuator and having blocking means for cooperation with said blocking portion, and inner manually operable means for moving said memher to dispose said blocking means in position to be engaged by said blocking portion thereby to block movement of the said actuator in said one direction.

2. In a door latch mechanism, a support having a plate portion for disposition at the door jamb and having a flange extending angularly from said plate portion, a rotatable latch device mounted on said plate portion, detent means comprising a rectilinearly slidable member mounted on said plate portion and having a projection on one end thereof engageable with said latch device for holding the same in latching position, a detent release lever pivotally mounted on said plate portion and having a blocking portion, said detent means being mounted on said plate portion for movement independently of said release lever, said release lever having a portion provided with a part arranged in opposing relation to a part of said detent means to abut the same and shift the detent means out of engagement with the latch device upon swinging movement of the release lever in one direction, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said support and having an arm engageable with a part on said release lever for swinging the same in said one rotative direction, a member movably mounted on said plate portion adjacent said detent actuator and having blocking means for cooperation with said blocking portion, and inner manually operable means for moving said member to dispose said blocking means in position to be engaged by said blocking portion thereby to block movement of said actuator in said one direction.

3. In a door latch mechanism, a support having a plate portion for disposition at the door jamb and having a flange extending angularly from said plate portion, a rotatable latch device mounted on said plate portion, detent means comprising a rectilinearly slidable member mounted on said plate portion and having a projection on one end thereof engageable with said latch device for holding the same in latching position, a man ually operable detent release lever pivotally mounted on said plate portion, said detent release lever and said detent means being mounted on said plate portion for movement independently of each other, said detent release lever having a first portion adapted to be engaged by an outer manually operable means and a second portion adapted to be engaged by an inner manually operable bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said flange, said detent release lever having a blocking portion, said detent release lever-having a further portion provided With a part arranged in opposing relation to a part of said detent means to abut the same and shift the detent means out of engagement with the latch device upon swinging movement of the release lever in one direction by either said outer or inner manually operable means, means for blocking movement of said detent release lever and thereby operation of said outer manually operable means and said bell crank lever, said last mentioned means including a member pivotally mounted on said support for swinging movement, said member having blocked means for cooperation with said blocking portion, and inner manually operable means connected to said member for swinging the same into and out of blocking position.

4. In a door latch mechanism, a support having a plate portion for disposition at the door jamb and having a flange extending angularly from said plate portion, a rotatable latch device mounted on said plate portion, detent means comprising a rectilinearly slidable member mounted on said plate portion and having a projection on one end thereof engageable with said latch device for holding the same in latching position, a manually operable detent release lever pivotally mounted on said plate portion, said detent release lever and said detent means being mounted on said plate portion for movement independently of each other, said detent release lever having a first portion adapted to be engaged by an outer manually operable means and a second portion adapted to be engaged by an inner manually operable bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said flange, said detent release lever having a blocking portion, said detent release lever having a further portion provided with a part arranged in opposing relation to a part of said detent means to abut the same and shift the detent means out of engagement with the latch device upon swinging movement of the release lever in one direction by either said outer or inner manually operable means, means for blocking movement of said detent release lever and thereby operation of said outer manually operable means and said bell crank lever, said last mentioned means including a member pivotally mounted on said plate portion adjacent the blocking portion of said detent release lever, said member having blocking means for cooperation with said blocking portion, and inner manually operable means connected to said member for pivoting the same into and out of blocking position.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,547 Endter Mar. 21, 1933 2,324,409 Marple July 13, 1943 2,716,569 Roethel Aug. 30, 1955 2,777,720 Roethel Jan. 15, 1957 

